Residenza Due Torri

The Residenza Due Torri occupies two floors of a terra-cotta 17th-century building. The atmosphere here is that of a simple European aparthotel with a hint of Old World elegance. Public spaces are limited to a small lobby done in white and gold, with wood furniture and gilt-framed mirrors, and the property's seven rooms feature a similar aesthetic. Guests head over to the Residenza's sister hotel next door for the free continental breakfast before spending the day out sightseeing. Most are budget-minded couples and solo travelers looking for an intimate stay that's a short walk from top attractions.

The Residenza Due Torri is located in a quiet but touristy section of city center, in an area with a movie theater, shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. The Musei Civici d'Arte Antica (Medieval Museum) is a two-minute walk, and the Via dell’Indipendenza shopping street and 17th-century Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore are within three minutes on foot. The hotel is about a five-minute walk from the Mercato di Mezzo market, Gothic-designed Basilica of San Petronio (billed as the world’s largest brick church), and Piazza Maggiore square, with cafes, street musicians, and medieval and Renaissance buildings. 

The 13th-century Basilica of Saint Francis is five minutes on foot, and the University of Bologna is a little more than 10 minutes by bus or a 15-minute walk. It's a 10-minute stroll to the Two Towers, the 12th-century leaning towers considered city landmarks. Asinelli Tower is the taller of the two and offers superb city views from its top. Public transportation is easily accessible, too. Bologna Centrale Station is a 15-minute walk; Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is a 15-minute drive from the Residenza, or 25 minutes by Aerobus from Bologna Centrale. 

Guest rooms at the Residenza are not upscale by any stretch, but they have a moderately gracious Old World look typical of European hotels. The color palette is white, gold, and beige, and decorative headboards, embroidered bedspreads, mirrors, and wood furniture add to the elegant aesthetic. Some feature elements like striped wallpaper or curtain valances. The seven rooms lack electric kettles for instant coffee and tea, but all come with air-conditioning, desks, safes, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, and a few open to furnished patios with plants. Tiled bathrooms are basic but tidy, with showers or shower/tub combos, makeup mirrors, bidets, and hairdryers, and jetted tubs can be found in some rooms, but none have toiletries. Units range from 118 square feet (11 square meters) to 248 square feet (23 square meters).

As a small inn, the Residenza Due Torri has few on-site facilities. It serves a free continental breakfast at its next-door sister property, the Buonhotel. Most previous guests agree that the spread is generous, and it includes freshly baked pastries, cereal, yogurt, and excellent array of other cold items, plus a variety of hot and cold beverages. The Buonhotel also has a lobby bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. There is no full-service restaurant at either property, but several restaurants are within walking distance. The Residenza has limited front desk hours (but 24-hour staff availability) with tourist advice, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. The hotel lacks an elevator, though staff will assist with carrying luggage up the stairs. There's no on-site parking either, but public parking is available near the Piazza Maggiore about a five-minute walk away.